in touch, headway 3 out, ridden and joined winner next, ran on, lost final stride
keen track leaders, went 2nd 3 out, ridden and every chance next, kept on one pace
tracked clear leading pair, closed 4th, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
in rear, headway 3 out, ridden and no impression from next
clear with leader, led soon after 4 out, ridden and joined 2 out, ran on, led final stride
led and clear with winner, reduced lead 4th, ridden and headed soon after 4 out, weakened next, pulled up 2 out
towards rear, pushed along 3 out, not fluent and weakened next
Quite a few with claims but ITALIAN SPIRIT (NAP) impressed with the style of his Fakenham win in a maiden hurdle and is expected to progress further on only a third run over timber. He's not been done any favours by the handicapper on strict form lines of that win but the style of the success was pretty taking. His stablemate, the in-form and penalised Salley Gardens, is a threat if turning up after being declared at Fakenham yestarday. Getalead should be competitive after a hard-fought win at Wincanton latest and Guernsey has a fair chance too on the back of an improved Exeter win. Knotty Ash disappointed last time but now receives the heavy age allowance.
Guernesey (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Towards rear, shaken up and headway 3 out, pushed along and pressed leaders before 2 out, led 2 out and soon ridden, not fluent last, stayed on well, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) gf in Oct beating Get Back Get Back (12-3) by 3l, 9 ran.
Italian Spirit (IRE) 8-13fav (11-4) Close up, headway 3 out, led soon after next, clear approaching last, comfortable, won at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Oct beating Loved Out (11-2) by 11l, 6 ran.
Esprit De Somoza (FR) 18-1 (11-12) Towards rear, effort and headway after 3 out, went third before 2 out, ridden and hung badly right after 2 out, no impression, 4th of 11, 8 1/2l behind Getalead (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Delgany Monarch (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Held up in last pair, headway chasing leaders and every chance last (normal 3 out) soon 2nd, ridden and lost 2nd before omitted 2 out, weakened, 5th of 10, 26 1/2l behind Conkwell Legend (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Getalead (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Handy, pressed leader after 3 out, led narrowly before 2 out, ridden and strongly pressed after last, stayed on grimly, just held on, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Translink (11-6) by ns, 11 ran.
Equus Millar (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) Led, not fluent 1st, soon headed, lost place 5th, soon in rear, behind when pulled up before 4 out, at Worcester 2m hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Knotty Ash (IRE) 4-6fav (11-5) Chased leader, mistake 1st, wandered into 5th and 3 out, pushed along before 3 out, beaten after 2 out, 4th and weakening last, 4th of 6, 12 3/4l behind Sacre Pierre (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Salley Gardens (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, led going well after 3 out, jumped right last, comfortably, won at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Nov beating Zara's Universe (10-6) by 8 1/2l, 11 ran.
